Determining the Meaning of an Unfamiliar Word through Context

Reading Skill

Learning outcomes2

By the end of the lesson: Students will be able to match context clues with

unfamiliar words to aid in comprehension. Students will be able to write sentences containing

context clues to meanings of unfamiliar words. Students will be able to write sentences containing

context clues to meanings of real words. Students will be able to locate and use context clues

to aid comprehension and vocabulary development.

Context Clues3

There are 5 ways to determine

the unfamiliar words

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Five Types of Context Clues5

REMEMBER!Each type of clue has

certain “signals.”

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1) Definition or Synonym Clue7

The author defines the word or gives a synonym.

Signals

Example

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Deceptive advertising is defined as any ad that contains a misrepresentation, omission, or other practice that can mislead a significant number of reasonable consumers to their detriment.

[The definition follows the phrase is defined as]

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A last resort for individuals or businesses that cannot fulfill their financial obligations is bankruptcy, or legal insolvency.

Legal insolvency indicates that it is equivalent in meaning to bankruptcy.

[Be sure you know what the synonyms mean!]

2) Contrast Clues11

The author includes a word or phrase that is the opposite of the word whose meaning you are trying to figure out. The meaning will be the “opposite of the opposite.”

The words such as..

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Example

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A few advertisers are unscrupulous, but most are honest.

Unscrupulous advertisers are contrasted with honest advertisers, so you can reason out that unscrupulous is the opposite of honest.

[Therefore, unscrupulous means dishonest or not following ethical principles.]

3) Example Clues15

Consist of one or more examples that are used to illustrate the meaning of the unfamiliar word.The example is not the definition, but it is a clue to it.

Signals: Examples are typically introduced by the word:

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Example

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Many Americans include too many servings of potatoes, rice, pasta, bread, and other carbohydrates in their diet.

Potatoes, rice, pasta, and bread are given as examples of carbohydrates. What they have in common is that they are all starches. Therefore, carbohydrates refers to “starchy foods.”

[Although this is not the technical, scientific definition of carbohydrates, it is enough to allow you to comprehend the general meaning and keep reading.]

4) General Sense of the Sentence18

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Example

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The equestrian center received a donation of 25 horses, as well as saddles and other new equipment for the riding team.

[From the general sense of the sentence—the references to horses, saddles, and the riding team—you can deduce that equestrian pertains to horseback riding and horseback riders.]

5) Clues from Another Sentence21

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Example

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That comedian has a ribald sense of humor. Two television networks have canceled his show because viewers complained about his lewd language and vulgar jokes.

[From the second sentence, you can conclude that ribald means vulgar, coarse, or off-color. The clue is that many viewers complained about his lewd language and his vulgar jokes.]

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PracticeInstruction:

1.Identity the type of context clues2.Give reasons to the answers

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1) The time between the computer’s request for data from

secondary storage and the completion of the data transfer is

known as access time.

a. the time it takes a computer to request data

b. the time it takes the computer to request data from

secondary storage

c. the time between the computer’s request for data from

secondary storage and the completion of the data transfer

d. the time it takes the computer to complete data transfer

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2) Introverts prefer solitary activities, whereas extroverts

prefer activities involving other people.

a. requiring a high level of skill

b. pertaining to computers

c. involving other people

d. done alone; without anyone else

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3) Examples of common allergens include pollen, ragweed, dog

and cat dander, and dust.

a. pollen, ragweed, dog and cat dander, and dust

b. substances commonly found around the house

c. substances that cause allergic reactions

d. allergic reactions

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4) Mean-spirited people enjoy spreading malicious gossip. The

rumors they spread damage the victim’s reputation unfairly

and cause undeserved pain and embarrassment.

a. harmful

b. interesting

c. cheerful

d. uplifting

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5) The cast of the television series is currently enjoying a three

month hiatus, but they will start work again in the fall.

a. break

b. strike

c. call

d. probation

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Exercise